In March 2026, I will be undertaking the biggest physical challenge of my life: running a Half Marathon (21.1 km/13.1 miles) to raise much-needed funds for Blackrock & Wicklow Hospices. ​This challenge is deeply personal. I am a Palliative Doctor and have the privilege of working here at the hospice. Every day, I see first-hand the incredible difference that the specialist care, compassion, and comfort provided by the Hospice makes to patients and their families. ​Let's be clear, I am not a runner. ​I am pretty unfit & unathletic. I spend most of my working day on my feet, but that's very different from running 13 miles. I am starting this journey with zero running experience, minimal fitness, and a body that generally prefers a comfortable chair watching sport rather than partaking. ​While the Hospice received some HSE funding, we rely heavily on generous donations to provide the essential, patient-focused enhancements that make the Hospice such a special place. Thank you for your generosity to this cause! Martin Ryan